Jameel Prize - FAQs

What is the Jameel Prize?

The Jameel Prize is an international art prize for contemporary artists and designers inspired by Islamic traditions of craft and design. The prize, worth £25,000, will be awarded to an artist or designer whose work marks an outstanding achievement in this field.

How often is the Jameel Prize awarded?

The Jameel Prize is awarded once every two years.

How much is it?

The winner of the Jameel Prize will be awarded £25,000.

What is the aim of the Jameel Prize?

The Jameel Prize aims to raise awareness of the thriving interaction between contemporary practice and the rich artistic heritage of Islam, and to contribute to a broader debate about Islamic culture.

Nominations

Can anyone enter?

The Jameel Prize is open to contemporary artists and designers of any ethnic, religious or cultural background. Their work must have a clear link to the traditional arts and craft practice of the Islamic world and show an informed understanding of these traditions. Entry for the Jameel Prize is by nomination only.

How does the prize work?

Over the summer of the nominations year - i.e. the summer before the Prize is awarded - leading curators, designers, artists and cultural figures from across the world are asked to nominate artists and designers whose work fits the criteria. Once all their proposals are in, the nominated artists and designers are invited to submit relevant examples of their work. The panel of judges then chooses a short list of artists and designers to go forward to the final stage. The work of these finalists is brought together for an exhibition at the V&A. During the exhibition, the judges meet to choose the winner.

Why do people have to be nominated to enter?

The V&A wanted to draw on the knowledge of a wide variety of international specialists in the field to ensure that the Jameel Prize is a truly international art prize and represents the very best contemporary work by artists and designers inspired by traditional Islamic art and craft practice.

Is there a time frame during which the work has to have been made, or can it have been made anytime in the last few decades?

Work must be made within the last 5 years.

The shortlist

Are artists and designers short-listed for existing work?

Artists and designers are short-listed for existing work that reflects Islamic art and craft practice.

Where are the short-listed artists and designers from?

The short list is made up of artists and designers with connections with many different countries.

Who has selected the shortlist?

The judging panel, which is made up of leading figures with an interest in contemporary art that reflects Islamic art and craft practice.

Will only the short-listed body of work go on display?

Yes. Each of the finalists is invited to show pieces that best represent the body of work for which they have been short-listed.

The winner

Will the Jameel Prize be awarded to an artist or designer or for a body of work?

The Jameel Prize will be awarded to an artist or designer for a body of work.

Who will select the winner?

The judging panel will decide the winner from the short list of artists and designers.

What is the role of the patron of the Jameel Prize, Zaha Hadid?

Zaha Hadid is one of Britain's leading architects and has an interest in Islamic art which goes back to her days as a student at the Architectural Association. She is supportive of the aims of the Prize, and she will present the prize to the winner.

The exhibition

Where will the short-listed artists and designers work be displayed?

The main part of the exhibition will be displayed in the Studio Gallery (Rooms 17a and 18a), which is next to the Buddhist Sculpture Galleries on the ground floor of the V&A. Other works may be installed in other, appropriate parts of the Museum.

How long will the exhibition be on display at the V&A?

This year, from 21 July until 25 September 2011.

Will people have to pay to see the exhibition?

No, admission will be free.

Who will curate the exhibition?

The curators are Tim Stanley and Salma Tuqan, who both work in the V&A's Middle Eastern section.

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